Product facing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a product facing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable product facing device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a product facing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable product facing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The display of products for optimal viewing and selection by consumers is an important consideration in the retail industry. Consumer products come in a variety of forms, many of which are unable to stand on their own and thus topple over unsupported, or may be left at the back of a store shelf against a support wall and out of the sight or reach of consumers.

“Product facing” is the art and practice of optimizing the presentation of a product for sale, such that it is neat in appearance, displays the intended product face to the customer, and is easily retrievable for purchase. Proper “product facing” involves arranging, moving and regularly adjusting products on store shelving, tables, or other surfaces for product display so that they are brought forward to the front to be presented to the consumer in the best marketable position, rather than being left at the back as stock is depleted or toppled over flat with no means of support toward the front.

Current product facing devices on the market include those that are complex, delicate, and fixed in location, such as spring-loaded mechanisms that push a product forward when a consumer removes an item from a shelf or a series of fixed slots on a shelf. Such devices generally require involved and semi-permanent attachment to the shelf, for example, with tapped screws or bolts through drilled holes, and are not easily adjusted or removed. These facing devices generally require clearing entire shelves in order to make adjustments to the display mechanism for just one line of product. Other examples of product facing devices include shelving angled downward, such as for milk jugs in a refrigerator case, but this arrangement compromises product space by losing the triangular area below the bottom row and above the top row. Shelves are also sometimes fitted with vertical slots or wire braces to hold product in place, but repositioning product forward when stock is depleted and backfilling to ensure older stock is kept forward are time-consuming. Product accessibility for the customer may also be reduced. Devices also exist to adjust the depth of shelving, but are vertical in orientation and thus allow bagged products to slump or topple, are not adjustable by individual row of product, and occupy significant and valuable shelf space. Accordingly, moving or adjusting such product facing devices generally requires the removal of most of or all the product on display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a product facing device and uses thereof.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable product facing device comprising a base adapted to engage with a surface and an upstanding portion attached to the base at an angle suitable for displaying the product.

This summary does not necessarily describe all features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a facing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a facing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a facing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a facing device that can, for example, be placed on a shelf for displaying items in a desired vertical orientation and horizontal position.

A “facing device” or “product facing device” is a device that assists in the display and/or presentation of a product, such as a retail product. For example, a facing device is capable of holding a product, or other object, that does not remain standing on its own and/or where the optimal position requires regular adjustment, a substantially upstanding position and at a specific location on a surface, such as at or near the front edge of a shelf or table.

A facing device, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a base and an upstanding portion attached to the base. The base may be any shape, size or configuration suitable for engagement with a surface upon which a product is displayed, such as a shelf, table, or substantially horizontal surface. In various embodiments, the base may be solid, perforated, U-shaped, or any other shape and composition that would allow for some method of engagement (e.g., adhesion or attachment) to the surface.

The base may engage the surface (the “mechanism of attachment”) in any manner sufficient to prevent the unintended toppling or sliding of the base, and therefore the product, from or along the surface when the product is placed against the upstanding portion. In some embodiments, the base may be made of, or attached to, a magnetic or magnetized material, such that it would adhere to ferrous metal store shelving, tables, or other substantially horizontal surfaces. The magnet may be lead-free and, for example, made of a magnetic rubberized material. In some embodiments, a magnetic sheet material applied to the bottom of the base may have a thickness between about 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inches) and about 3 millimeters (0.125 inches).

In some embodiments, the effective adhesive (pull) force of the magnet orthogonally against the shelf or table intended to be used with the product may fall between about 15 grams per square centimeter (30 pounds per square foot) and about 50 grams per square centimeter (100 pounds per square foot). The effective horizontal holding (sliding) strength of said magnet may be between about 5 grams per square centimeter (10 pounds per square foot) and about 25 grams per square centimeter (50 pounds per square foot). This range of holding properties may be optimized to withstand the load or sheer force of the faced product with the conflicting requirement that the device be easily slid along the shelf or removed by hand for repositioning or for otherwise adjusting the faced product. These stated ranges are not the design strengths of the magnetic substance used on this possible embodiment of the device, but the effective strengths upon the wide range of shelving, tables, or other substantially horizontal surfaces for product display on which the device is expected or may be used. It is to be understood that any material of any magnetic strength may be used, as long as it is capable of sufficient engagement with the surface, to prevent the unintended toppling or sliding of the base, and is also easily detached from the surface for intentional adjustment.

In some embodiments, the mechanism of attachment, such as the magnetic material or magnet, may be attached to the underside of the base. In some embodiments, the mechanism of attachment may extend to the full outside edge of the base and encompass the entire underside of the base. In alternative embodiments, the mechanism of attachment may encompass a portion of the underside of the base. It is to be understood that the mechanism of attachment may be located at any point in or on the base as long as it remains capable of engaging the surface sufficient to resist toppling or sliding due to pressure from a faced product propped, leaning, or otherwise pushing against the upstanding portion of the facing device.

The upstanding portion may be affixed to the base at an angle suitable for displaying a product, when the base is parallel to the plane of the surface (such as a shelf) to which it is attached. Accordingly, an angle of 90 degrees (i.e., a right angle) may be unsuitable for displaying a product and is specifically excluded. In some embodiments, the upstanding portion may be at an acute angle of about 70 degrees to about 85 degrees to the base, or any value in between, for example, about 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85 degrees to the base, when the base is parallel to the plane of a horizontal surface (such as a shelf) with which it is engaged. In alternative embodiments, the upstanding portion may be at an obtuse angle of about 95 degrees to about 110 degrees to the base, or any value in between, for example, about 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, or 110 degrees to the base, when the base is parallel to the plane of the surface (such as a shelf) with which it is engaged. In the latter configuration, the device base may be placed toward the faced product and would thus similarly allow the product to be leaning against and supported by the device. In some embodiments, the angle between the base and the upstanding portion may be adjustable, for example, to accommodate a range of faced products or provide for more optimal positioning within the range described above. In some embodiments, the angle between the base and the upstanding portion may be adjustable around a pivot at the point of attachment between the base and the upstanding portion. In alternative embodiments, the angle between the base and the upstanding portion may be fixed.

The upstanding portion may be attached to the base using any suitable mechanism of attachment, such as a glue, screw, slotted hub, or by being formed of one continuous material and set into a fixed angle during casting or other technique of manufacture. In some embodiments, the upstanding portion may be detachable from the base for ease of storage or other purpose.

In some embodiments, the outer perimeter and especially the outside corners of the device may be rounded to, for example, avoid injury to those working with or using the facing device. “Rounded” is meant to describe any shape that does not contain a sharp edge or point that may cause injury or damage.

The facing device may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to: clear acrylic, colored acrylic, plastic, polycarbonate, aluminum, steel, wood, or fiberglass. In some embodiments, the upstanding portion and the base may be constructed of different materials. In alternative embodiments, the upstanding portion and the base may be constructed of a single piece of a suitable material, formed to the desired angle. In some embodiments, the material is suitable for use at a range of temperatures from about −30° C. to about 60° C., or any value in between.

The material may be one that is safe to use for those handling it.

In some embodiments, a facing device according to the present disclosure, may be suitable for use with a single row of product, generally presented with such row oriented back to front such that one product faces the customer or viewer and the other similar products would be aligned directly behind the first.

In some embodiments , a facing device according to the present disclosure may be about 1 cm (½ inch) to about 60 cm (24 inches) in height, or any value in between, such as about 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 cm in height.

In some embodiments , a facing device according to the present disclosure may be about 5 cm (2 inches) to about 40 cm (16 inches) in width, or any value in between, such as about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 cm in width.

In some embodiments, a facing device according to the present disclosure may be about 2.5 cm (1 inch) to about 30 cm (12 inches) in depth, or any value in between, such as about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 cm in depth.

In some embodiments, a facing device according to the present disclosure may be about 2 mm (0.08 inches) to about 12 mm (½ inch) in thickness, or any value in between, such as about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 mm in thickness.

In some embodiments, the upstanding portion and the base may be made of materials of different thicknesses.

In some embodiments, a facing device of lesser height may be used at the front of a shelf to ensure that the bases of faced product do not slide forward off the shelf or table. Such a portable, adjustable, and removable “lip” for store shelving would expand the versatility and usefulness of shelving, tables, or other substantially horizontal surfaces for product display, to accommodate a wider range of faced products.

It is to be understood that the height, width, shape, material thickness and, where appropriate, weight or magnetic strength of the facing device may be varied to accommodate differently-sized products, as long as the facing device is portable. By “portable” it is meant a facing device of about 25 grams to about 2.5 kilograms (0.05 to 5.5 pounds), or any value in between, such as about 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 kilograms, such that a single example of such device may be easily adjusted, moved, or removed by hand.

In some embodiments, a facing device according to the present disclosure, may be designed for convenient storage. For example, the facing device may be stored at the back of a shelf, when not in use.

In some embodiments, a facing device according to the present disclosure, may include a means for placing signage (for example, an “out of stock” sign or a product label) on the upstanding portion. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the upstanding portion may include slots on the front face or, in the case of an upstanding portion constructed of a transparent material, on the rear face of the upstanding portion. In alternative embodiments, in the case of an upstanding portion constructed of a transparent material, the upstanding portion may have affixed, joined to, or folded over a complementary backing plate to hold signage.

In one embodiment, a facing device in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a single rectangular sheet of clear acrylic plastic, with a base and upstanding portion (FIG. 1). The device is formed by bending the rectangular sheet such that the upstanding portion is set into a fixed angle (FIG. 2) relative to the base. A magnetic plate is glued or otherwise affixed to the underside of the base (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). The magnetic plate extends to the full outside edge of the base and encompasses the entire underside of the base. The top corners of the upstanding portion (i.e., away from the base) are rounded (FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the base is designed such that it can sit flat on a surface, such as a metal shelf and adhere to the shelf by attraction of the magnet to the shelf. The angle of the upstanding portion is such that the product is displayed in a substantially vertical manner and will remain in such orientation unless disturbed. The facing device can be manually adjusted to the back or the front of the shelf to desired positions for the product(s) it supports. When not in use, the facing device may be placed at the rear of the shelf, either reversed, front to back, in the case of the embodiment envisioned using an acute angle between the base and upstanding face (FIGS. 1 and 2), or directly pushed to the back when an obtuse angle embodiment of the device is used.

The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For instance, the means of temporary and adjustable attachment or fixation of the device base to the shelving, table, or other substantially horizontal surface for product display might also be by added weight, hook, clip, Velcro, or any other mechanical means of attachment.

By “about,” as used herein, is meant a variance (plus or minus) from a value or range of 5% or less, for example, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5%, 4.0%, 4.5%, or 5.0%. 

1. A portable facing device for facing a product displayed on a surface comprising: a base adapted to engage with the surface; and an upstanding portion attached to the base at an angle suitable for displaying the product.
 2. The portable facing device of claim 1 wherein the upstanding portion is fixed at an angle between about 70 degrees to about 85 degrees to the plane of the base.
 3. The portable facing device of claim 1 wherein the upstanding portion is adjustable within an angle between about 70 degrees and about 85 degrees to the plane of the base.
 4. The portable facing device of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material and the surface is a shelf or table comprising a ferrous metal.
 5. The portable facing device of claim 2 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material and the surface is a shelf or table comprising a ferrous metal.
 6. The portable facing device of claim 3 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material and the surface is a shelf or table comprising a ferrous metal.
 7. The portable facing device of claim 1 wherein the portable facing device is made of clear acrylic.
 8. The portable facing device of claim 2 wherein the portable facing device is made of clear acrylic.
 9. The portable facing device of claim 3 wherein the portable facing device is made of clear acrylic.
 10. The portable facing device of claim 1 wherein the portable facing device is dimensioned for facing a single row of product.
 11. The portable facing device of claim 2 wherein the portable facing device is dimensioned for facing a single row of product.
 12. The portable facing device of claim 3 wherein the portable facing device is dimensioned for facing a single row of product.
 13. A portable device for facing a product comprising: a base; and an upstanding portion attached to the base at an angle suitable for displaying the product.
 14. The portable facing device of claim 13 wherein the upstanding portion is fixed at an angle between about 70 degrees to about 85 degrees to the plane of the base.
 15. The portable facing device of claim 13 wherein the upstanding portion is adjustable within an angle between about 70 degrees and about 85 degrees to the plane of the base.
 16. The portable facing device of claim 13 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material.
 17. The portable facing device of claim 14 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material.
 18. The portable facing device of claim 15 wherein the base comprises a magnetic material.
 19. The portable facing device of claim 13 wherein the portable facing device is made of clear acrylic.
 20. The portable facing device of claim 13 wherein the portable facing device is dimensioned for facing a single row of product. 